Cities-of-Miami-Beach-and-Fort-Lauderdale-Add-Additional-Proactive-Measures-to-Limit-Large-Gatherings
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2020
Cities of Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Add Additional Proactive
Measures to Limit Large Gatherings
–In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19–
Miami Beach, FL – As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise
throughout the nation, the City of Miami Beach is ramping up additional measures to
curtail large crowds from gathering and encourage social distancing.
Starting tomorrow in Miami Beach, non-essential businesses citywide will be required to
close daily by 10 p.m. until further notice, and the city is urging restaurants, bars and
nightclubs to decrease their capacity by 50 percent to create social distancing.
Businesses excluded from this mandate include: pharmacies, grocery stores,
convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers,
medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive
supply/repair centers.
Additionally, there will be a complete closure of the beaches from Fifth to 15 streets until
further notice. An 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will also be enforced in the city’s
entertainment district starting Monday, March 16. City-owned parking garages and
surface lots citywide will only be open to residents with proof of residency and access
card holders.
“It simply can’t be business as usual in our City,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “COVID-19 is
a threat as much here as anywhere. We simply cannot endure these kinds of gatherings
and crowds. Our measures are intended to send a clear message that Spring Break is
cancelled and that everyone, even young people home from school, need to embrace
these health and safety concerns. We are proud of our hospitality industry, and
concerned with the toll it will have on our businesses and workers but we cannot elevate
those concerns above very real health risks.”
The City of Miami Beach is partnering with their northern neighbor, the City of Fort
Lauderdale, to both implement similar measures in deterring large spring break crowds.
Both municipalities have faced similar challenges with the influx of large crowds this time
of the year and are aligned in their efforts to implement social distancing.
“We have to do everything possible to minimize crowds and unfortunately, our beautiful
beaches must be part of that plan,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. “I want
to be clear that this is not an overreaction, but a way for us to help stop further cases of
COVID-19 in our community. We must all do our part to save lives. This includes
protecting our residents, visitors, and our first responders.”
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
Click here to read the revised Declaration of Emergency Measures effective March 16,
2020.
For measures specific to the City of Fort Lauderdale, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov
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